News of the week

October 2, 2024

SMMPA tabletop simulates a catastrophic storm

For most of the country, the news this week has been about Hurricane Helene. In Rochester, Fairmont, and Owatonna though, the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) team prepared for a supercell with F4 tornados that severely damaged SMMPA assets and those of member utilities. With help from the MMUA team, SMMPA personnel had the chance to consider how their existing disaster and recovery plan would fare under such trying circumstances, even if key leaders were not available. (Spoiler alert: they did great and learned a lot too!) Interested? Working with members on projects such as a customized staff exercise or strategic plan is just one of the many services MMUA can provide. Contact Karleen Kos or Mike Willetts if you would like to learn more.

OSHA rulemaking will affect volunteer fire departments and emergency responders

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is focused on providing what it calls "long overdue protections to emergency responders."

During the summer, MMUA fielded questions from many members concerned that the language proposed in the new rule was so onerous that compliance would jeopardize the future of volunteer fire departments in their communities. They were not alone.

During the comment period, OSHA heard from many concerned members of the public who left more than 4,000 comments about the new rulemaking for volunteer fire departments and other emergency responders. While OSHA noted the agency is committed to not unduly burdening these entities, it does appear these rules could impact Minnesota's volunteer fire departments and other emergency services. Read our initial analysis and intended actions here.

OSHA is continuing to seek input from the public. You can learn more about attending the November 12 hearing and providing input during the post-hearing comment period here.

Owatonna Public Utilities celebrates centennial

Owatonna Public Utilities (OPU) will be celebrating its 100th anniversary on Thursday, October 10, 2024. A dedication ceremony will take place at OPU headquarters located at 208 S. Walnut Avenue beginning at 10 am, and MMUA members are invited to join the party anytime between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. Tours, food vendors, and live demonstrations will be available throughout the day.

Electrification first came to Owatonna in 1891, and two different for-profit entities attempted to serve the town. They both had poor track records locally, so the OPU Commission was created in 1924 by an amendment to the city charter. This amendment transferred control of the water department to the new commission and removed responsibility for all future utilities from the direct control of City Hall. Thus OPU was born.

In 1925 the first municipal generating plant was put into operation, and OPU took responsibility for the distribution of natural gas in 1936.

Owatonna joined the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency in 1978.

Today OPU provides electric, natural gas, and water services to its community of some 27,500 residents. OPU serves 12,000 electric, 9,700 water, and 10,500 natural gas customers. Annual revenues top $60 million, and about 2.5 percent of gross revenues is contributed to the City annually in lieu of taxes to further support the community.

If you visit Owatonna for OPU's birthday, be sure to check out the National Farmer's Bank Building. Built in 1908, it is on the National Register of Historic Places, and it has been described by architectural historian Richard Kronick as "one of the most significant architectural works in the nation." Learn more about it here. You will be fascinated by its electroliers—early light fixtures that seem to grow out of the ceiling—as well as its jewel box design, ornate fixtures, and murals.

MMUA forms dues task force—we need you!

Member dues pay for MMUA services that everyone shares. This includes our lobbying efforts in St. Paul, publications like The Resource and The Digest, tools like the M-MIP procedure, assistance with grant preparation, and free webinars like the recent ESST session.

MMUA's dues structure has not been reviewed in more than ten years. With all of the changes our industry faces—from cryptomining to carbon free standards—the MMUA Board feels now is a good time to take a look at our dues model and, if necessary, make adjustments to better prepare for the evolving circumstances members will face. The commitment means 3–5 virtual meetings between October and the end of July 2025. We are especially in need of volunteers from our smaller communities. If you are interested, please email MMUA Board treasurer Jeremy Carter or Karleen Kos.

Did you know? It's National Drive Electric Week!

National Drive Electric Week, September 27–October 6, 2024, is a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more.

The "week" is sponsored by a variety of nonprofits focused on helping consumers better understand the possibilities of converting to an electric vehicle (EV). Events are occurring throughout the US so that auto buyers can learn more. Check out the event's website here.

Municipal utilities are getting involved. Check out these events in Elk River and Rochester. In addition, Rochester is hosting a table at a local auto dealership and promoting the Drive Electric Minnesota's Second Annual Statewide Scavenger Hunt Challenge. Is your community getting involved? Tell us about it by emailing Reid Baumann.

MPCA Stormwater Advisory Team needs outstate representatives

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is looking for outstate professionals to provide input and feedback on products and guidance related to stormwater best management practices. The time commitment is roughly one-to- two hours per month in meetings (typically virtual) or draft product review. To express interest, please email the advisory team contact for your area of interest. To keep tabs on other potential advisory team opportunities (as well as other updates to Stormwater guidance), subscribe to the “Stormwater Manual News” here.

Current advisory team openings include:

Green Infrastructure Advisory: Green Infrastructure refers to practices and infrastructure intended to mimic natural hydrology, typically integrating native vegetation, and used instead of or in combination with gray infrastructure. This is a new group and it currently has very little outstate representation. Contact Joanne Boettcher if you are interested.
Stormwater Solids and Sediment Management: Sediment and gross solids that collect in stormwater best management practices (BMPs) must be removed periodically to maintain the intended function of the BMP. The MPCA is developing streamlined resources describing testing, reuse, and disposal options for all manner of stormwater solids. The group will also conduct a gap analysis to identify research needs and policy considerations to help move towards more sustainable and affordable stormwater solids management practices. Contact Paula Kalinosky if you are interested.
Treatment Trains: Treatment trains refer to series of practices or integrated systems that are designed to treat multiple pollutants and/or optimize overall treatment and benefits. This is a new advisory group, so MPCA is looking broadly for interested participants. Contact Paula Kalinosky if you are interested.

Follow up: Earned Sick and Safe Time Law

On September 26, MMUA's Organizational Development and Human Resources Director Shelly Dau led a discussion on Minnesota's Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) law. Those who attended had the opportunity to ask questions in real time. If you missed it but still need the information, you can view the recording here and the slides here.

The ESST law was effective January 1, 2024, and it requires Minnesota employers to provide paid leave to employees who work in the state. This leave can be used for reasons including an employee's illness, to care for a sick family member, or to seek assistance if an employee or their family member has experienced domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking.

The ESST law was updated in May 2024 to clarify who qualifies for ESST, the rate at which ESST must be paid, ESST application to other paid time off, and more. The webinar recording covers it all. If you have additional questions, you can also check out the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's web page covering ESST.

We need your feedback!

Webinars like the ESST session and HR consultation by phone and email are free services with your membership,

MMUA wants to be sure we are addressing the human resources issues that matter most to you. Please share your biggest HR challenges and headaches, along with ideas for future webinars so we can develop content to meet your needs. Send your input to Shelly Dau. We look forward to serving you!

Administrative law judge to advise PUC on Allete sale by July 15, 2025

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will receive a recommendation from an administrative law just (ALJ) regarding whether to permit the sale of Allete, the parent company of Minnesota Power and Superior Water, Light, and Power.

The PUC referred the matter to the Office of Administrative Hearings and asked that an ALJ review the record in the matter of the pending $6.2 billion sale of the company by no later than July 15, 2025.

The ALJ will help the PUC determine impacts of the deal, including the results for ratepayers, the new ownership’s commitment to the carbon-free standard, and whether or not the sale is in the public’s interest.

The proposed sale would result in ownership by a partnership led by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Global Infrastructure Partners, an infrastructure investment fund. Should the sale go through, Allete would be privately held after years of being a publicly-traded company.

Shareholders approved the deal in August. Other players that will likely rule on the deal include the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Learn more here.

Last chance to prepare

Public Public Power Week and Public Natural Gas Week are both celebrated October 6–12, 2024!

It's not too late. Take this opportunity to tell your story to ratepayers and other stakeholders. Resources for Public Natural Gas Week are available from APGA, and resources for Public Power Week are available from APPA.

Funding opportunities

Long duration energy storage pilot program

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to support technology demonstrations for energy storage solutions at the pilot-scale. The program will focus on non-lithium technologies, long-duration (10+ hour discharge) systems, and stationary storage applications. This program seeks to:

Advance a diverse set of non-lithium energy storage technologies towards commercial viability and utility-scale deployment.
Generate high-quality operational datasets and techno-economic models.
Build investor, utility, and other end user confidence in the real performance and adoptability of the proposed solutions.

This NOFO makes available approximately $100 million in Federal funds for demonstrations of diverse energy storage technologies, potentially including electrochemical, mechanical, and thermal energy storage systems. DOE intends to fund 5–15 projects with an award size of at least $5 million and no more than $20 million in Federal funds. Each award is required to provide a minimum of 50% non-Federal cost share. Municipal utilities are eligible for these funds. The deadline for concept papers is October 16. Learn more here.

Minnesota Department of Commerce electric grid resilience grant program

The Minnesota Department of Commerce issued an RFP for grants available to community-owned municipal utilities, cooperatives, and power agencies. A total of $5.3 million will be available, with maximum grants of $250,000. There are no match requirements. Proposals are due November 19, 2024.

MMUA held informational webinars on Tuesday, September 17 and September 24.

Download the RFP here
Review slides from DOC's webinar here
Review slides from MMUA's September 17 webinar here
Review the recording of MMUA's September 17 informational webinar here
Review slides from MMUA's September 24 webinar here
Review the recording of MMUA's September 24 webinar here
Review the grant timeline here

MMUA will again provide members with assistance in preparing their grant requests by hosting webinars and making team members available for consultation. Contact Karleen Kos or Blaine Chaulklin for more information.

Looking ahead

Minnesota Beneficial Electrification Leadership Summit

Humphrey School Conference Center

301 S 19th Ave, Room 100

Minneapolis

Technology is rapidly advancing and energy tech businesses are moving to Minnesota. The theme of the event is “Opportunities Abound for Beneficial Electrification.” As billions of dollars are flowing from DOE, EPA, DOT, and the states on issues related to electrification and efficiency, our conversation will focus around topics such as electric transportation, economic development and emerging opportunities, and challenges with new loads.

Municipal utilities representatives are on the program. We hope you can join this informational convening and network with your peers and colleagues. Click here for more information or to register.

MMUA's Technical and Operations (T&O) Conference

December 10–12, 2024

St. Cloud Holiday Inn, St. Cloud

Registration is open for this year’s conference! Featuring the theme “Safer Together,” the 2024 T&O Conference will be held at the St. Cloud Holiday Inn. The program will feature speakers on topics such as safety, building a customer service culture, technical how-tos for crew leaders and front-line supervisors, and the ever-popular roundtables.

Reservations can be made using this special link. MMUA has secured a reduced room rate of $112/ night for the conference.

Registration for the conference is available here. We will be excited to see you there!

Transformer School and pre-conference workshop

November 19–22, 2024

MMUA Training Center, Marshall

This course focuses on three-phase transformer connections. Our highly qualified instructor, Scott Meinecke, has decades of experience working with and providing training on all manner of topics related to transformers. Participants will appreciate Scott's unique ability to explain complicated topics, so that they are more easily understood. This course includes classroom and hands-on instruction. Participants can expect to learn about the basics of transformers including turns ratios, polarities, calculations, and connections. Working with miniature transformers, participants will put their troubleshooting skills to the test.

The pre-conference workshop is intended to serve as a basic or refresher course on the fundamentals of single-phase transformer connections and theory. The course includes instruction on topics such as safe work practices, transformer theory, basic calculations, connections, and sizing. This course would be helpful for any lineworker, as well as personnel from other departments that may assist as a ground person.

Check MMUA's events calendar for full details and to register.

As always, thank you for your association with MMUA and your commitment to delivering excellent service through locally owned utility assets in your community. Have a great week!

Karleen Kos

Chief Executive Officer

Direct: 763-746-0701 / Cell: 813-675-7589

kkos@mmua.org | www.mmua.org

Hometown services. Hometown strengths. Hometown solutions.